Patents Assigned to Unilever Patent
  • Cosmetic composition for topical application to skin or hair
    Patent number: 5510120
    Abstract: A cosmetic composition for topical application to the skin and/or hair includes, optionally in a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, particles which enclose a cosmetically-effective benefit agent active at a target location accessible by application to the skin and/or hair, and which have means to bind to an organic surface at the target location. In particular, the particles are liposomes and have means for binding to microorganisms present on the skin and/or hair, for example those responsible for skin disorders, scalp irritation, and underarm and foot odor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignees: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V., The Victoria University of Manchester
    Inventors: Malcolm N. Jones, Michael Kaszuba, Ian G. Lyle
  • Method of producing embryogenic callus of Norway spruce (Picea abies and regenerating plantlets therefrom
    Patent number: 5501972
    Abstract: A method of producing embryogenic conifer callus, comprising culturing somatic tissue capable of growth derived from a conifer so as to form non-embryogenic callus and then culturing the non-embryogenic callus in the presence of a nurse culture so as to produce embryogenic callus. Embryogenic callus derived in this way can be used to produced plantlets by known techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventor: Roger J. Westcott
  • Encapsulating method and products containing encapsulated material
    Patent number: 5500223
    Abstract: An encapsulation process employs an aqueous dispersion of silica having a particle size not substantially greater than 100 nm. An emulsion is formed by high shear mixing of the silica dispersion with the material to be encapsulated and the emulsion is gelled. The process allows hydrophobic materials to be encapsulated in structures which have a high loading of the material and a good degree of imperviousness in the presence of other materials such as surfactants and mineral oils. Using the process, hydrophobic materials such as flavours, fragrances and cosmetic ingredients can be encapsulated for delayed release in a wide variety of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: John M. Behan, Jeremy N. Ness, Keith D. Perring
  • Method and apparatus for manufacturing coextruded food products
    Patent number: 5492706
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing coextruded products by coextruding continuous strands of one extrudable material and enveloping sheaths and twisting these sheathed strands about each other for at least part of a full revolution. An apparatus for manufacturing such products comprises a multiplicity of nozzles each having a central bore with feeding means and an annular opening surrounding this bore having separte feeding means, which nozzles are arranged for mutual movement comprising at least part of a rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Terrence R. Cockings, Peter T. Mawhinney
  • Process for producing a coated food product
    Patent number: 5478583
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a food product having a thick and irregular coating comprising:(a) coating the food product with a batter; and(b) coating the food product with agglomerated powder; such that the ratio of batter to agglomerated powder is 2.5:1 to 1:1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Graham A. Jarrett, Malcolm J. McBride, Serge A. Symien, Peter Walker, Alan Wooten
  • Low-SAFA cream alternatives
    Patent number: 5472727
    Abstract: Whippable, water-continuous fat emulsions comprising 10-40% of a fat mixture with a composition obtained by blending at least fats A and B: 0.01-2 wt % of a thickener: 0.01-2 wt % of an emulsifier system and 1-8 wt % of a milk protein compound: fats A and B being: low in SAFA and free of trans (=fat A), a high in PUFA (=fat B), while the N.sub.5 of the fat mixture ranges from 20 to 40 and the N.sub.35 is less than 5 and the SAFA content of the fat mixture is less than 35 mol %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Iain J. Campbell, Malcolm G. Jones, Anne C. Peilow, Paul T. Quinlan
  • Monitoring method
    Patent number: 5467778
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the status of a current ovulation cycle of an individual human female subject, involving testing of the body fluid concentration of an analyte of significance in relation to the status of the ovulation cycle, such as urinary E3G, during at least part of the pre-ovulation phase of the current ovulation cycle of the individual subject, and identification from the results of such testing an analyte concentration change indicative of imminent ovulation, relative to an analyte concentration reference value that has been adapted to the individual human subject on the basis of analyte concentration test data obtained from the individual human subject during one or more previous ovulation cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Catt, John Coley, Paul J. Davis
  • Glazing agent
    Patent number: 5466478
    Abstract: The invention concerns ready-to-use glazing agents with the composition:5-25 wt. % of liquid vegetable oil;5-15 wt. % of casein or its salts;0.005-10 wt. % of emulsifier;0.1-8.0 wt. % of a compound giving a browning upon heating, preferably by a Maillard-type of reaction andbalance: water.The composition is sterilizable and has a shelf-life after sterilization of more than 3 months.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen J. Brockhus, Jeanette D. Moree, Jannes G. Lammers, Tileman Rodenburg
  • Nickel/silica catalyst and the preparation and use thereof
    Patent number: 5463096
    Abstract: The invention provides a nickel/silica catalyst optionally also containing cations of a lower Group II metal (X), which catalyst satisfies the following combination of features:1) a molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 /Ni=0.15=0.352) a molar ratio of X/Ni=0-0.153) an active nickel surface area above 120 m.sup.2 /g4) a BET surface area of which at least 60% is found with pores with a radius below 1.5 nm.Preferably the catalyst has an atomic X/Ni ratio between 0.5-0.10 and a BET surface area of which at least 60% is found in pores having a pore radius of below 1.4 nm. The group II metal X is preferably magnesium or barium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis M. Lok
  • Astaxanthin from flowers of the genus adonis
    Patent number: 5453565
    Abstract: A novel strain of Adonis aestivalis having an average of 18-22 petals per flower head and containing an average of 200-350 .mu.g of astaxanthin pigment per flower head is cultivated, harvested and extracted to provide a source of natural astaxanthin. The extracted astaxanthin, or the harvested astaxanthin-containing plant material, can be used for example in salmonid fish diets to promote correct flesh pigmentation of the fish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventor: Rodney Mawson
  • Release composition
    Patent number: 5447563
    Abstract: A biodegradable oil and water emulsion release composition for facilitating the unmoulding of hydraulic bonding material comprises as the oil component an ester of a hindered polyhydric alcohol having no hydrogen atoms attached to any carbon atom in a beta-position to any hydroxyl group and a straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated C.sub.4 -C.sub.24 monocarboxylic acid. The ester may be partial and the partial ester may be alkoxylated. In a preferred embodiment also a straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated C.sub.4 -C.sub.24 monohydric alcohol is present. Also a method of unmoulding has been described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventor: Bart van Hoorn
  • Amorphous silica
    Patent number: 5447704
    Abstract: An amorphous silica, especially precipitated silica, suitable for use in toothpastes, has a high abrasivity represented by a perspex abrasion value in the range from about 23 to about 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Derek Aldcroft, John R. Newton, James P. Quinn, Peter W. Stainier
  • Mixture of disaccharide esters of 3-methylpentanoic acid and acetic acid for flavouring
    Patent number: 5444162
    Abstract: A mixture of disaccharide esters of 3-methylpentanoic and acetic acid is prepared and used as flavor precursors. The esters average at least 4 and preferably at least 4.5 3-methylpentanoyl groups per disaccharide moiety, with remaining positions being substantially occupied by acetyl groups. Suitable disaccharides are sucrose and lactose. Preferably the disaccharide ester has an acetyl/methylpentanoyl group ratio of about 2.3 to 3.2:4.8 to 5.7. The disaccharide esters are suitable for flavoring products undergoing a heating step during preparation or consumption, such as ingredient mixes for extrusion, frying or baking, and especially tobacco. On heating they liberate 3-methylpentanoic acid and/or its decomposition products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Willem Apeldoorn, Harrie Renes, Hans J. Wille
  • Cutting process
    Patent number: 5437886
    Abstract: A hard-frozen anisotropic foodstuff is subjected to a process of "veneer-peeling" at a core temperature of -40.degree. C. to -5.degree. C. In this "veneer-peeling" the hard-frozen foodstuff is for example cut in the manner of a lathe or like a pencil-sharpener. If the foodstuff is raw or uncooked meat, veneer-peeling weakens or fragments the strong connective tissue within the meat whilst retaining the essential fibrous character of the muscle fibers resulting in less tough meat. Thus lower quality meat can be upgraded. A wide array of morphologies of meat particles can be prepared. Other food materials cut in this way are ice cream, coconut, vegetables and hide material leading to offcut with new and useful morphologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Anthony G. Atkins, Leonard D. Hughes, George Jeronimidis, Paul Jolley, Peter Purslow, Peter Wilding
  • Ethers for aromatizing purposes
    Patent number: 5432154
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel ethers and their use as aroma precursors. The ethers are derived from ionol and related compounds. These aroma precursors do not have a substantial aroma as such under ambient conditions, but will break up into a complex mixture having useful organoleptic properties under heating. The ethers are especially suitable for use in products which are heated, burned or smouldered in some stage of their use. The compounds according to the invention are especially suitable for application to tobacco. Mixtures obtained by degrading (e.g. by heating) the ethers according to the invention may be used in a flavoring or perfuming mixture as well due to their organoleptic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes T. de Heij, Franciscus P. van Lier, Harrie Renes
  • Confectionery fat compositions
    Patent number: 5431947
    Abstract: The invention concerns blends of fats A, B and C in the ranges:5-30% of fat A;>60% of fat B;5-20% of fat C,whereinfat A=fat having a C.sub.SAFA : C.sub.UNSAT ratio=0.5-1.3;fat B=fat having >65 wt. % of SUS;fat C=butterfat or a fraction therof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Jane C. Bennett, Frederick W. Cain, Geoffrey Talbot
  • Processing of maltodextrins
    Patent number: 5431951
    Abstract: A method of treating maltodextrin by adding a seed material to an aqueous solution of a maltodextrin having a DE not exceeding about 6 and that is heated to a temperature of at least 70.degree. C. Addition of a seed material promotes aggregate formation and so promotes gelling, resulting in production of a firmer gel than conventionally obtainable.The invention also provides a method of treating maltodextrins by maintaining an aqueous solution or dispersion of maltodextrin having a DE not exceeding about 6 (e.g. Paselli SA2) at a temperature of less than 50.degree. C. for at least 1 hour; then heating the solution or dispersion to a temperature of at least 70.degree. C.; followed by cooling. Maltodextrin treated in this way forms a gel that is firmer in consistency than maltodextrin gels produced by conventional processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Philip C. Bamford, Thomas R. Kelly, Anthony Morrison, Penelope E. Smith
  • Acylation of tetralins
    Patent number: 5430015
    Abstract: A method of acetylating 1,2,3,4,-tetrahydro-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethylnapthalene (HMT) to produce 6-acetyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethlnaphthalene (acetyl-HMT), comprises subjecting a mixture of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethlnaphthalene and or one or more substituted indanes or substituted acetylindanes to a Friedel-Crafts acetylation reaction in the presence of a saturated hydrocarbon solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings, BV
    Inventors: Christopher P. Newman, Karen J. Rossiter, Terence L. Miller
  • Overcap for a microbiological culture bottle
    Patent number: D362184
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventor: Anthony H. Carr
  • Catalyst
    Patent number: RE35166
    Abstract: The invention provides a catalyst composition useful in treating hydrocarbons contaminated with vanadium residues, the catalyst comprising a zeolite, a matrix and certain heavier alkaline earth metal oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventor: Paul Chapple